Whack-a-mole: Organised crime in Mexico: Under the volcano

This article serves as a pretty thorough, balanced review of the multiple components and dynamics of the drug war in Mexico: the concentration of violence in northern states, the cartels' expansion into other areas of criminal income and into Central America, the politics of an approaching presidential election in 2012, the rising concern of the Mexican elite, the efforts to reform the police and justice systems.

Organised crime in Mexico: Under the volcano | The Economist: "The conflict has become a test of endurance for both the government and the narcos. Mr Calderón has staked his presidency on the outcome. In 2007 a third of Mexicans thought the death toll was an acceptable price to pay for beating the cartels, whereas now only a quarter do. “Unless there is a big change in the level of violence, the current strategy cannot survive more than another six months,” says Jorge Castañeda, a former foreign minister." Oct. 14, 2010